When I asked the rest of the LTBM crew if they had seen this, only Tres said he had. That didn’t necessarily shock me, but I thought it was a bit more widely known than that. So maybe you’ve never heard of this either! Blast From the Past is a 1999 release staring Brendan Fraser and Alicia Silverstone, playing Adam Weber and Eve, respectively. Directed by Hugh Wilson (Police Academy), this movie explores what would happen if a young man raised with 1950’s/60’s American-era values, morals and mannerisms was placed suddenly in modern-day Los Angeles. It’s an interesting concept, and one I suspect is pondered more and more as we grow older and see society changing around us. I am only 31 years old and I already catch myself thinking back sometimes to how things were when I was 10 or 12. Not from a convenience standpoint, but more from a morals and values standpoint. Sometimes I’m shocked at how far we’ve declined in our societal morality in the last 20 years, and I hate to imagine how it will be in my golden years if we remain on the current slide.

This is not to say that the 1950’s era American morals and values were perfect. Each era and generation has their faults, for sure. But watching this generation gap play out in Blast From the Past was quite interesting. It provided for some quirky, chuckle-worthy parts, but also gives slight insights into some large differences between the two. Case in point; the title of this review, “thanks for always being gay”. At one point in the movie Eve reveals to Adam that her friend Troy (Dave Foley) is gay. Knowing the general morality that Adam was raised with by his parents, the audience expects a certain reaction. Perhaps one of shock or judgment. Instead, Adam smiles and says, “Well, good for you!”. It’s left at that until a pivotal point in the movie. Adam is fleeing and hollers out to Troy, “thanks for always being happy”. Troy is perplexed at this and Eve quietly says to him, “gay”. For Adam, the word ‘gay’ meant happy, not homosexual. This is one example of the evolution, or hijacking, of language and symbols of society by groups of people. Another is the rainbow. It now represents support for the homosexual lifestyle, rather than God’s covenant he made with Noah and all mankind (Gen. 9:11-13).

Brendan Fraser carries this movie with the help of Silverstone and his parents, played by Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek. Walken seems comfortably at home in the father role and it’s pretty entertaining watching him explain certain things to his son, Adam, at various ages. I have mixed feelings on Brendan Fraser. Not in this film necessarily, but as an actor in general. I think he has a lot of potential talent, it’s just that we rarely see it. So often he is subjecting himself to corny, slapstick-style roles rather than roles with greater impact or depth as I think he’s proven he’s capable of (see Gods and Monsters and School Ties). With that said, I can’t really imagine someone else playing the role of Adam Weber in this movie. He has a happy-go-lucky persona that is perfect for this character. Silverstone is about what you’d expect, a somewhat grown-up version of her Clueless character.

The movie opens in 1964 with the Weber’s (Adam’s parents) hosting a dinner party. A news announcement comes across the television of heightened tensions with Russia and fear of a nuclear attack. Mr. Weber directs everyone to go home and be with their families. What he really wants is to get he and his wife down into his fallout shelter he has been working on. This thing is the crème de-la crème of fallout shelters. It is a full-scale model of their current home, stocked with years worth of water and food, an air filtration system and sun-lamps to grow fresh produce and vegetables. If you’re into the ‘preppers’ movement, you’ll geek out at this thing. On their way down into the shelter a plane lands in their backyard, which leads Mr. Weber to believe that the U.S. had just been bombed by Russia! He panics and sets the locks… for 35 years! The following scenes show the Weber’s adjusting to life in the shelter as they raise their new son, Adam.

When it comes time to check out the surface, Mr. Weber is shocked at what he sees. Adult bookstores left and right, people throwing up in the streets, sexual favors offered in exchange for lawn furniture! He believes that society has collapsed and humans have mutated to adjust to the nuclear radiation. Of course, you might think that to if you stumbled upon Los Angeles in the middle of the night! This shock leads to a heart attack and results in Mrs. Weber sending Adam to the surface for supplies.

The majority of the generation gap comedy and distinctions come in Adam’s interactions with everyday folk. Many are quite funny, some are rather convicting of where we are today. In one of his first dealings with people, Adam attempts to sell his collection of baseball cards in order to buy food to take back to his parents. It is here he meets Eve, who saves him from getting taken to the cleaners by a dishonest card salesman. Upset with Eve for ruining his deal, the card salesman curses and takes Lord’s name in vain. Adam strongly rebukes him, even doubling down when met with resistance to his request, saying to the man, “Yes, I have a BIG problem with that.” You suspect Adam is willing to fight over such a thing. Isn’t that odd to see today, willing to stand up for the big guy in the sky! I really appreciated this stance. Not only do we see the Biblically based values giving Adam strength to speak up, but it is one of the first clear contrasts between the values of today and those of the past. You won’t find many people taking such a stance when people take the Lord’s name in vain today. Many Christians would just as soon avoid a conflict. But why? Why should we put our light under a basket? We are the salt of the earth! Light shines into darkness, salt enhances flavor and preserves to that which is spoiling. Let’s be light and salt (Mt. 5:13-16) and not be ashamed of our Lord or afraid to stand up for His name.

Another theme prevalent in the movie is the utmost respect and appreciation that Adam has for his parents. He practices what they taught him; good manners, respect for women, putting others first, etc. Not only that, he places his parents on a pedastal and doesn’t hesitate to pass on worthy advice and knowledge he has obtained from them. On almost every occasion where Adam references his father, he is sure to mention, with a big smile on his face, that he’s a scientist. He is proud of his parents, he is obedient to them, and because of that they are proud of him and fully trust and respect him in return. Toward the end of the film Adam is setting things up to bring his parents to the surface for good, but he needs them to stay down there just a bit longer. “Why”, they ask. “I’m going to ask you to trust me, without knowing why”, Adam replies. Imagine the answer your parents would give if you said something like that to them. Okay, now stop laughing. Adam’s parents responded with, “well then, of course.” Adam was obedient and respectful of his parents (Col. 3:20, Eph. 6:2). He was a blessing to them, not a burden, and for that their full trust was extended to him. Let us remember to always hold our parents in his esteem and be a blessing to them.

My Rating: 3/5

While there is plenty in the way of life-lessons to feast on in this film, it is overall pretty average. It’s certainly worth a rental if you haven’t seen it. It isn’t making any groundbreaking statements on society as most of the generational distinctions are pretty superficial and aren’t explored too deeply. It’s goofy and corny, but it’s supposed to be. The soundtrack is very reflective of the time-spans, from the opening credits to the end. The period elements between the 60’s and 90’s such as the clothing, buildings, etc. contrast fairly well and I didn’t notice many, if any blatant failures in this regard. There is some bad language so I wouldn’t call it a family friendly comedy. Overall this is a fairly entertaining romantic comedy and I think you’ll enjoy it.

Quotables:

Adam: “What do you mean you can get me laid?”

Adam: “Eve, can I skate around your block?”

Troy: “So, Sophia, when you fly to Paris do you check these or are they carry on?”

Adam: “Eve, I’m sorry, but isn’t he just nice hair and a butt?”

Eve: “Now hold on, hold on just a minute! In the first place I do not fall in love with weirdos who I’ve only known for four or five days!” Troy: “Yes you do.” Eve: “And I don’t fall in love with grown men who collect baseball cards!” Troy: “Yes you do.” Eve: “Or pee in their pants when they see the ocean!” Troy: “Yes you do.” Eve: “Or have perfect table manners!” Troy: “You know, I asked him about that. He said, good manners are just a way of showing other people we have respect for them. See, I didn’t know that, I thought it was just a way of acting all superior.”

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10 comments on “Blast From the Past: Thanks for Always Being Gay!”

Pardon me if I’ve misinterpreted you here, but there seems to be some negative attitude towards homosexuals here Gene, particularly in the second paragraph. Like I say, apologies if I’ve got the wrong end of the stick here…

Thanks for asking, Chris! I should probably differentiate a couple things here and hopefully it will be more clear. I don’t hold any negative views towards homosexuals anymore than I would any other person who’s life is entangled in sin. Scripture is clear that homosexuality is a sin and groups homosexuals with others such as liars, kidnappers and murderers (1 Tim. 1:9,10, Rom. 1:21-27). I would never classify a liar or a kidnapper as outside the grace of God if they repent and believe, and I would not do so with a homosexual either. We’ve all sinned and still do sin in some way or another, yet God calls us all to repentance. The difference I would make is a “hate the sin, not the sinner” type of mentality. Homosexuality, the act and the lifestyle, is a sin and I don’t like it anymore than I do theft or dishonesty. The main difference with this sin is that there is an entire movement to make it acceptable and force people to acknowledge it as being okay. So in that respect, I have a negative attitude toward the sin of homosexuality and many aspects of the homosexual movement, but not toward homosexuals individually. I believe they are as worthy of God’s forgiveness as any sinner. Does that make sense?

My main point in the second paragraph was to highlight the generational differences that came out in the movie. The word “gay” was one of those. Many were comedic in nature, and even this was approached in a humorous light. That is fine, but it’s only able to be funny because the word “gay” meant something entirely different to Adam than it did to Eve and Troy. The rainbow, which was not in the movie, is just another example of the changes across generations within the same subculture of homosexuality.

Thanks for the reply Gene. I’m sorry but I wholly disagree with almost all of what you’ve said. Homosexuality simply isn’t a sin. A sin is a choice but homosexuality isn’t and comparing it to kidnapping or murdering is frankly absurd just because ‘scripture’ dictates. Scripture also had a talking snake. And also says things like you can’t have a bowl haircut or have tattoos or wear gold or whatever else. Scripture says a lot of things but it doesn’t mean it’s right.

This is a film blog (and your film blog at that) so I don’t want to come over here trying to change your mind because I respect your right to your own views even if I don’t agree with them.

No problem Chris. Don’t ever feel like your comments aren’t welcomed and encouraged, even if they are in disagreement on a movie opinion or a moral stance. If you have some valid points on a matter, I want to hear them 🙂 I very much appreciated your wanting to clarify my position rather than jumping in and attacking right off the bat. Thank you, sir.

As for you reasons for disagreement, thank you for offering those points. I’m sure you can understand that we use God’s Word as our compass here. I can understand if you are not a Christian that may sound silly, but when we examine movies from a Christian perspective we know where our foundation is and we adhere to it, not our personal opinions. Secondly, I’m curious how you came to the conclusion that homosexuality isn’t a choice. Is there scientific evidence backing this claim, or is this a claim from personal experience? Either way, let’s suppose that you’re right and attraction to the same sex is not a choice but is something you’re born with. I submit that having an inherent disposition to a certain thing is not an excuse for acting upon that thing if God has declared it sinful. I am attracted to women, but if I acted upon that attraction it would be adultery because I am married. I can say that God made me that way, but that wouldn’t excuse me from the act of adultery anymore than someone with same-sex attraction would be excused from acting on it. We each choose to act on our attractions, whether we’ve had them from birth or develop them through life. Ravi Zacharius actually has a much more thought out explanation of this. You might be interested in hearing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIw6ngIqaD0
Finally, regarding the bowl haircut, tattoos or wearing Gold, those are prescriptions in the Old Testament Law of Moses. I am a Christian and so I do not adhere to those commandments. You’d have to take that up with a Jew. Even so, your reasoning on this matter is unequivocal. Those things being in the Bible as commandments to the nation of Israel do not make the New Testament and it’s commands any more or less true.

If you like I’d be happy to have a discussion with you regarding the Bible and why we believe it is true and is God’s Word. That would surely be a long one and might be better suited for email correspondence. Hope to hear back from you! Thanks again, Chris 🙂

Great review Gene!!! I had seen this movie before, but didn’t realize it until I read your post. One thing that I disliked about this film is that in some ways I felt the movie was mocking the Christian worldview and in someways made Adam look weak and dumb. Some of this may be due to him being from a different time, but could it also be the movie saying that Christians and their ideas are out of touch with the times?

Thanks Eric! Yeah I get why you’d say that. He is incredibly naive and obviously sheltered. While a lot of it I think is due to the generation gap, there are some things like being a virgin, having good manners, that I think are a bit of a dig. If not a dig, definitely a contrast, which isn’t always bad. But, given how the movie ended; good guy gets the girl, takes care of parents and is generally praised for his principled values, I think it shows most of those things in a good light.

Gosh, I remember this flick! One night when I was younger, I was just flipping through the channels, found this starting from the beginning and I decided to watch it. Needless to say, I had a great time with it and thought that despite the fact that he’s usually dull in stuff, Fraser did pretty well with his earnestness. However, George of the Jungle will always rank as his best role, EVER. Good review Gene.